Golovkin vs Brook: Carl Froch believes Kell Brook can cause Gennady Golovkin problems
Wednesday 7 September 2016 13:24, UK
Carl Froch has sparred with Kell Brook and is expecting the Sheffield star to pose the sort of problems Gennady Golovkin has never had to deal with before when they meet on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
When this was first announced, I was as surprised as anyone but even back then, I gave Kell Brook a chance - and still do.
Yes, he's a welterweight fighting a middleweight but the more I've seen of him, the more he looks up for it. I'm like most people, I want Kell to win, but it's hard to see how.
The one thing I do know is Gennady Golovkin is in for the toughest test of his career so far. Yes, he is one of the best fighters out there, but the fact that I had him eighth in my pound-for-pound list shows you I do not think he is the best around.
That may be because we haven't really seen him in with anyone who could really push him, but that is one thing I am looking forward to seeing on Saturday. We will learn more about Golovkin.
Will he win? Here and now, I would say yes, but regardless of going up to middleweight, Kell is in a no-lose situation and I do know, and please excuse the pun, the lad is Special.
When it comes to his defence, his range and his timing, he is a nightmare. I know it was a few years ago as I was getting ready to fight Andre Dirrellbut I sparred with Kell and I did not enjoy it in the slightest.
When it comes to his defence, his range and his timing, he is a nightmare. I know it was a few years ago as I was getting ready to fight Andre Dirrell, but I sparred with Kell and I did not enjoy it in the slightest.
Kell was awkward, he was impossible to hit and although it was only two or three rounds, I do remember thinking "this kid is going to go all the way and become a world champion".
He might not be a Naseem Hamed, but he had that Ingle awkwardness that made him hard to get close to and hit. When I did get in, that right over the top kept landing.
In the end, I just had to walk him down and then, using my weight, shove him back. But as I said, it was a nightmare spar back then. It could be the same for Golovkin on Saturday night, but the fact that I eventually managed to use my size, I still think that will have a big say.
Don't get me wrong, Kell looks good and looks well moving up two divisions, but there are weight class rules in boxing for a reason. I would have possibly gone up to light-heavyweight at a push but not cruiserweight, which makes this is a big, big ask.
Kell is used to getting down to 147lbs, and although it looks like it's been a struggle for a while and going up to middle might be easier, his body just won't be ready to take heavier shots - and we know that is one thing Golovkin has got. Power.
We will see if Kell causes him the nightmare I had back in 2009. We will see just how good Golovkin actually is becuse I do think he will see some of the things I did back then.
Watch Gennady Golovkin v Kell Brook, live on Sky Sports Box Office from The O2, on September 10. Book the event via your Sky remote or online here.
